Canyon Spectral:ONfly CF 8

£3,049 (RRP £5,199)

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The Lumen is one of the clearest expressions of what the best lightweight eMTB 2026 contender should feel like: quick, efficient and genuinely “trail bike first”. It’s built around shorter travel than the big enduro eMTBs, but that’s precisely why it works so well on typical UK loops — where the riding is often a constant chain of corners, compressions, little roots-and-rock steps and punchy climbs. You get a bike that keeps momentum naturally, and the motor just turns the nasty climbs into repeatable efforts rather than one-and-done sufferfests.

The key appeal is how it rides when you aren’t maxing the assistance. Lightweight systems suit riders who still want to put a shift in, keep cadence high, and feel like they’re riding rather than being dragged. On greasy climbs, that smoother delivery can also help traction: fewer sudden surges, less rear-wheel scrabble, more cleaned sections. Set up with sensible tyre pressures and a supportive fork tune, the Lumen makes a strong case as a “ride it loads” British trail bike — fast enough to feel exciting, calm enough to ride for hours.

Santa Cruz Heckler SL S

£5,499 (RRP £7,599)

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The Heckler SL makes sense in the best lightweight eMTB 2026 guide because it’s not trying to be a fragile weight-weenie. It’s a proper big-trail bike — the sort of machine you can ride aggressively on steep, slippery UK descents without feeling like the chassis is getting overwhelmed. That’s the Santa Cruz thing: composure and predictability, especially when the trail gets rough, and you’re tired. For many riders, that confidence is the reason to go lightweight in the first place — you want a bike that feels closer to your analogue trail rig, not a heavy e-enduro sledge.

It’s also a great example of how the category has matured. The assistance is there to turn climbs into repeatable laps, but the ride experience still feels “mountain bike” when you’re driving into corners, loading the bike through compressions and picking lines through greasy roots. If you ride year-round and want a light eMTB that still feels tough enough for real trail abuse, the Heckler SL is a strong shout.

Scott Lumen eRIDE 910

£6,489

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The Lumen is one of the clearest expressions of what the best lightweight eMTB 2026 contender should feel like: quick, efficient and genuinely “trail bike first”. It’s built around shorter travel than the big enduro eMTBs, but that’s precisely why it works so well on typical UK loops — where the riding is often a constant chain of corners, compressions, little roots-and-rock steps and punchy climbs. You get a bike that keeps momentum naturally, and the motor just turns the nasty climbs into repeatable efforts rather than one-and-done sufferfests.

The key appeal is how it rides when you aren’t maxing the assistance. Lightweight systems suit riders who still want to put a shift in, keep cadence high, and feel like they’re riding rather than being dragged. On greasy climbs, that smoother delivery can also help traction: fewer sudden surges, less rear-wheel scrabble, more cleaned sections. Set up with sensible tyre pressures and a supportive fork tune, the Lumen makes a strong case as a “ride it loads” British trail bike — fast enough to feel exciting, calm enough to ride for hours.

Trek Fuel EXe 9.8 XT

£8,250

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If you want a lightweight electric mountain bike that feels the least “e-bike-ish”, the Fuel EXe remains a reference point — and that’s why it keeps landing in best lightweight eMTB 2026 conversations. The ride feel is about subtlety: you still climb faster and with less fatigue, but the bike doesn’t bulldoze the trail or make you feel like you’re wrestling mass through every switchback. For UK riding, that matters on natural singletrack, where speeds are lower, traction is inconsistent, and the trail constantly asks you to adjust your line.

The real win with the EXe is that it still feels fun when you’re playing with the trail. You can pump rollers, snap the bike between corners and stay light over roots — behaviours that can feel dulled on heavier rigs. The flip side is that the lightweight assistance rewards technique. If you grind a huge gear at low cadence, you’re less likely to get fireworks. But if you keep cadence smooth, manage traction and ride with intent, it’s an addictive way to do more climbs and more descents without the full-power “steamroller” vibe.

Orbea Rise LT M-Team 630Wh

£10,199

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If you want the best lightweight eMTB 2026 pick that bends the rules towards “bigger days” rather than absolute minimal weight, the Rise LT with the 630Wh battery is precisely the point. The Rise has always been a favourite for riders who want a more natural ride feel but still insist on real-world range and proper climbing support. In UK terms, it’s brilliant for the kind of rides where you’re linking bridleways, woods and trail-centre loops into one big day — and you want the assistance to stay sound right to the end.

The Rise LT format also makes sense for riders who want to ride more challenging trails without stepping up to a full-fat enduro eMTB. With more extended travel and a more aggressive stance than the standard Rise, it feels happier when you start picking faster lines, dropping into steeper chutes and pushing into rougher terrain. Crucially, it still keeps that lighter, more responsive feel that draws people to SL or mid-power bikes in the first place. If you want one bike that can do “big trail riding” and big mileage without feeling like a tank, it’s an easy shortlist candidate.